Call for Nominations: Whitley Award for Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation

Deadline: 30-Oct-2026

The Whitley Awards provide £50,000 in project funding to grassroots conservation leaders who are delivering proven, science-based solutions for threatened ecosystems and biodiversity. The awards prioritize locally led conservation projects that demonstrate measurable impact at the landscape or seascape level while improving outcomes for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. What Are the Whitley Awards? The Whitley Awards are conservation awards designed to recognize and strengthen the work of experienced grassroots conservation leaders. The program focuses on leaders who are: Based within the communities where they work. Nationals of the country where their conservation project is located. Working through a locally incorporated organization or eligible university. Scaling up an established conservation approach rather than starting a new pilot. The awards are intended to help proven conservation solutions reach a larger scale and produce greater environmental and community benefits. Why the Whitley Awards Matter Threatened ecosystems often face interconnected pressures involving biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, climate change, unsustainable resource use, and socioeconomic challenges. The Whitley Awards recognize conservation approaches that address these challenges while involving the people who depend on affected landscapes and ecosystems. Projects should therefore demonstrate benefits for both: Nature and biodiversity, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This makes community participation and locally led conservation central to the program. What the Whitley Awards Support The awards support the scaling up of proven conservation solutions. Projects should have already demonstrated positive results and should now be ready to expand their impact. The proposed work should demonstrate measurable environmental outcomes rather than simply describing a conservation challenge. Grant Amount and Project Period

Each successful Whitley Award provides:

Grant amount: £50,000

Project start: June 2027 or shortly thereafter

Project duration: 12 months

Applicants should develop a realistic 12-month implementation plan showing how the award will contribute to scaling an established conservation approach. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet both individual and organizational requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

Be a national of the country where the project is based. Work for a locally incorporated NGO, charity, not-for-profit organization, or university. Have a demonstrated track record of success in wildlife conservation. Be directly involved in the conservation work. Be working on a project in an eligible country. Projects generally need to be located in countries that are not classified as High Income Economies by the World Bank, subject to the Whitley Fund for Nature’s applicable country eligibility rules and exceptions. Applicants should check the current country list provided by the Whitley Fund for Nature before applying. What Makes a Strong Whitley Award Project? A strong project should demonstrate that the conservation approach is already working.

The proposal should show:

Evidence of previous conservation success. Measurable biodiversity or ecosystem benefits. A clear pathway to scaling up the existing solution. Captive breeding may only be considered where the project addresses the underlying causes of species decline, rather than simply maintaining animals in captivity. Are Government Employees Eligible? Government employees are generally not eligible to apply. However, certain exceptions may apply, including individuals affiliated with government-funded universities. Applicants with government affiliations should carefully check the specific eligibility rules before preparing an application. How to Prepare a Whitley Award Application

Step 1: Confirm Country Eligibility

Check whether the country where the project will take place meets the Whitley Fund for Nature’s current eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Confirm Your Nationality

The applicant should be a national of the country where the conservation project is being implemented.

Step 3: Demonstrate Conservation Experience

Document your previous wildlife conservation achievements. Applicants should focus on evidence, impact, local leadership, and scalability. Demonstrate previous conservation success. Provide measurable evidence wherever possible. Explain why the existing approach should be scaled. Show that the project is locally led. Demonstrate meaningful community participation. Explain benefits to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Connect conservation activities to landscape or seascape outcomes. Use science and monitoring to support your approach. Keep the 12-month workplan realistic. Clearly connect the budget to conservation outcomes. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Proposing a completely new pilot project. Presenting the proposal primarily as academic research. Applying for MSc or PhD fieldwork. Failing to demonstrate previous conservation success. Applying as an expatriate. Proposing only rural or economic development activities. Focusing solely on animal welfare. Requesting funding primarily for land purchase. Proposing captive breeding without addressing the causes of species decline. Failing to demonstrate benefits for local communities. Providing conservation objectives without measurable indicators. Frequently Asked Questions What are the Whitley Awards? The Whitley Awards are conservation awards that provide funding to grassroots conservation leaders implementing proven solutions to protect threatened ecosystems and biodiversity while delivering benefits to local communities. How much funding does each Whitley Award provide? Each winning project receives £50,000 in funding. How long is a Whitley Award project? Projects must be completed within 12 months and are expected to begin in or shortly after June 2027. Who can apply for a Whitley Award? Applicants